Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk Launches First Walk on the East End

(Oakdale, N.Y.) — From pink-hairspray tattoos to pink cotton candy, it’s everything PINK on the Dowling College Brookhaven Campus this Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, for the 1st Annual Eastern Long Island American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk which will raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society.

“I’m so honored to recruit and fund raise for the launch of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk to be held on the Dowling College Brookhaven Campus,” said Justine Garcia-Magill, Dowling College assistant director for financial aid operations and Walk representative. This will be the first breast cancer walk that Garcia-Magill, a seven-year, veteran fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society, has helped to organize.

“I’m equally touched by the overwhelming response from the Dowling Community including volunteering to support the event, T-shirt sales, and participants registered in Sunday’s walk . . . I’m so proud that Dowling has made this a personal event,” Garcia-Magill added.

To answer the appeal from eastern Long Island residents wishing to support the American Cancer Society’s efforts, the Suffolk County event will be held in addition to the annual Walk held at Jones Beach State Park—the second largest Walk in the country.

According to Anne K. Thorsen, senior director of special events for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks, the 2010 Walk held on the boardwalk at Jones Beach State Park was attended by more than 60,000 fellow Long Island participants and raised $2.8 million to help defeat this disease. Thorsen hopes to move into the No. 1 slot in the country this year with the addition of the East End Walk.

“Every dollar you raise helps save lives and creates a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays,” Thorsen said. “Making Strides is your opportunity to not only honor breast cancer survivors and remember people we have lost, but also to raise funds and awareness to help end this disease.”

Dowling College alumni including Gail Lizardy-King, ’71, a 37-year breast cancer survivor, Ms. Senior America, ’09, and Suffolk County Legislator Cameron Alden, ’74, a 22-year breast cancer survivor, will lead the more than 50 members of the Dowling College community participating in the walk.

“I am no longer a victim and not just a survivor—today I’ve become a breast cancer thriver,” said King. “My goal is to encourage, support and give hope to those who have been touched by breast cancer. I look forward to leading Dowling alum, along with Cameron, in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.”

Having breast cancer gave Cameron Alden a sense of insight into how precious life is and taught him the importance of making an effort to improve the world for others. Alden works closely with Breast Cancer advocate groups to raise awareness. “I would hope that we as a nation can dedicate ourselves to the task of finding a cure in our lifetime, so that someday no one would suffer and die as a result of cancer,” says Alden, a life-long Islip resident.

Organizers anticipate 3,000 to 5,000 walkers on the Brookhaven Campus this Sunday. “Attendees will be welcomed with a spirited greeting from Gravity Cheer, a special needs cheerleading team led by Dowling College alumna and coach Marissa Hillebrand, a festive procession by the Coast Guard National Band, a ZUMBA warm-up, and more,” said Garcia-Magill.

An event of this magnitude requires many volunteers; members of the Dowling College Student Government Association and student-athletes will be a tour dé force in support of the cause.

“As student athletes, we take great pride in giving back to the community of which we are a part,” said Brianna Layton, president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. “We are proud to be able to participate in raising awareness and needed money to find a cure.”

For more information on the Making Strides event, which begins at 8 a.m., please visit: http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY12Eastern?fr_id=36013&pg=entry.

For high-res photos of Justine Garcia-Magill in a Dowling College PINK T-shirt, Gail Lizardy-King and Cameron Alden, contact media relations at: shivokeh@Dowling.edu.

We take your success personally.

Dowling College combines academic excellence with a quality college-life experience as an independent, coeducational college that serves more than 5,000 students at three convenient Suffolk County, Long Island campuses: the historic Rudolph-Oakdale Campus on the banks of the Connetquot River, the Brookhaven Campus and aviation facility adjacent to the Brookhaven airport, and the Melville Center in the heart of Long Island’s business district. Dowling’s community of leading educators and staff personally contribute to the success of every student offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees in several disciplines through four schools: Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Education; and a doctoral degree in educational administration.